qathet Regional District’s (qRD) board of directors will consider an amendment bylaw for urn vaults in its cemeteries.
At the April 24 committee of the whole meeting, directors were presented a new fee schedule for urn vaults, which are now required for cremated remains at the cemeteries on Texada Island and in City of Powell River.
Manager of operational services Patrick Devereaux said the regional board had already approved the use of cremated remains urn vaults last December and the initiative before directors was putting the matter in the bylaw so the regional district can charge money for them. The recommendation is for a fee of $150, plus GST and provincial sales tax, for a total of $168.
According to Devereaux, additionally, current practice by cemetery staff is to issue quotes for cemetery services and products. Practice has been to honour these quotes for 90 days, and while it is a longstanding practice, it is not supported by bylaw or policy. Under the proposed bylaw, the 90-day provision will be written into the bylaw, providing language on the effective duration of quotes.
The committee voted unanimously to refer the qRD cemetery regulation amendment bylaw to the May 1 regional board meeting for first reading through adoption.
Join the Peak's email list for the top headlines right in your inbox Monday to Friday.
